ᐅ Are there any tips for cleaning Ikea BESTA drawers?

Hello everyone,

I have several Ikea Besta drawers that have become quite dirty after some use, mainly due to dust, crumbs, and occasional sticky spots. Since I prefer a cleaning method that is as gentle on the materials as possible but still thorough, and I want to avoid using harsh cleaners, I’m interested to know if anyone here has tips or specific approaches for cleaning Besta drawers?

I’m especially looking for advice on which products can clean the plastic or wood surfaces gently yet effectively, which tools or aids are suitable, and whether there are any special care instructions to keep the surface looking good for a long time without damaging the material or color.

I’m looking forward to your experiences and suggestions!

Hello rencarsten,

I’m happy to share a simple step-by-step guide that I use myself when cleaning my BESTA drawers:

- First, completely empty all drawers and, if possible, remove them from the furniture. This makes cleaning much easier.
- Remove coarse dust and crumbs using a vacuum cleaner or a dry cotton cloth.
- For the actual cleaning, I recommend mixing a mild dish soap with warm water. Dip a soft microfiber cloth into this solution, wring it out well so it’s not too wet.
- Wipe the inside and outside of the drawers with this damp cloth. You can treat sticky spots a bit more thoroughly but avoid applying too much pressure on the surfaces.
- Afterward, wipe again with a dry, soft cloth to ensure no moisture remains that could damage the material.

Important: Do not use abrasive cleaners or aggressive chemicals like ammonia or alcohol, as these can dissolve or dull the surface. Wood-like textures on the BESTA fronts generally do not tolerate strong chemical agents.

If you like, you can finish by applying a water-based furniture care product to maintain the shine — but be careful, not all care products are suitable for coated surfaces.

If you have any questions, I’m happy to help!

Guyju schrieb:
Do not use abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals like ammonia or alcohol, as these can damage or dull the surface.

I can only confirm this from my own experience – unfortunately, I once cleaned too hard and could almost watch the surface of my BESTA drawers slowly become dull. That really annoyed me because I thought I was doing something good.

My advice would be to clean gently more often rather than harshly but rarely. Sometimes warm water with a microfiber cloth is really enough. And if you have stubborn stains, test first in an inconspicuous area.

I know BESTA furniture often invites clutter if you store a lot there – but with regular, gentle care, you can really keep it looking like new for longer.

rencarsten schrieb:
Since I want to do a thorough cleaning that is as gentle on the materials as possible

Hey rencarsten, the topic of cleaning BESTA furniture is actually more interesting than expected 😊. Here’s what I would recommend:

– Take your time and work through the drawer in small steps.
– For the interiors, I like to use a soft brush or a small broom to get into the corners.
– A tip that always helps me: a few drops of mild dish soap in warm water, plus a soft cloth, as Guyju already mentioned.
– But be careful with the drawer slides and runners! Fine crumbs often build up there, which can hinder smooth movement. You can gently remove these with a cotton swab. Then apply a little silicone spray (sparingly!) to the runners, and the drawers will slide easily again.

I do this every few months because dust from the air settles over time. Don’t worry: you’ll get the hang of it, and the drawers will look almost like new.

JEREMIAH38 schrieb:
I know, the BESTA furniture often invites clutter when you store a lot in it

Haha, that’s definitely true – the BESTA drawers are like the Bermuda Triangle for small items in my house.

What I find interesting is that many people completely rely on gentle cleaning methods, but honestly, I think you can afford to be a bit bolder with the cleaning agents – of course, without using anything toxic, but a little alcohol or diluted vinegar has never harmed me and works better on stubborn grease stains.

The universal recommendation of “just lukewarm water and a microfiber cloth” seems too mild to me, especially if the drawers haven’t been cleaned in a while. It also depends on how durable the surfaces really are.

Maybe this is a controversial view, but I believe it’s worth occasionally testing the limits – carefully, of course, but without being overly cautious.